by Elizabeth Renter
November 24th, 2012 | Updated 11/24/2012 at 2:39 am
November 24th, 2012 | Updated 11/24/2012 at 2:39 am
There have been several studies
over the years that established a link between aspartame consumption
and cancer risk. But, these studies were frequently criticized as being too
small, only capturing a short period of time, and otherwise not living up to
strict scientific standards. A new study, however, addresses these concerns and
substantiates what the previous ones already said: that aspartame in diet soda
can increase your risk of certain types of cancer, exponentially. It seems the
aspartame-cancer link has been exposed…again.
The Aspartame-Cancer Link
Scientists looked at data from
the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study for a
period of 22 years, including over 77,000 female study subjects and nearly
48,000 males. In all, the giant study looked at “2,278,396 person-years of
data”, the most of all previous aspartame studies.
Study participants were asked
about their diets every two years. In prior studies, questions about aspartame
were only asked once, opening them up to error and criticism. What this study
found, however, is frightening.
One can of diet soda each day can
increase leukemia risk in men and women by 42 percent, increase multiple
myeloma risk in men by 102 percent, and increase the risk of
non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 31 percent in men.
The results are frightening, but
not surprising. Though previous research was criticized for not being
scientifically sound—the findings were similar. Another study focusing on
the aspartame-cancer link found that of 48 rats experimented on, up to 67%
of all female rats developed tumors roughly the size of golf
balls or larger. The male population also suffered, with 21% of the males
developing similar cancerous growths.
What’s possibly even more
concerning is that aspartame is created using genetically modified bacteria.
Revealing how aspartame is made, an article from The Independent reports
that both a Monsanto source and a Monsanto spokesperson admits that aspartame
creation process did in fact involve genetically modified bacteria.
“We
have two strains of bacteria – one is traditionally modified and one is
genetically modified,” said the source. “It’s got a modified enzyme. It has one
amino acid different.”
Stay Away
Although
there are other sources of aspartame, diet soda remains the most popular. If
you were ever wondering, ‘is diet soda bad for you‘, the answer is a
sound ‘yes’. In the United States, we consume an estimated 5,250 tons of
aspartame each year, of which 86% is in the form of diet sodas.
Recognizing
the dangers of diet soda, many people limit themselves to just one can each
day. But this latest research shows that one can is enough to do significant
damage. And, switching back to a sugared soda isn’t any better—researchers
found men drinking one or more regular sodas saw a 66% increase in non-Hodgkin
lymphoma.
What’s
the solution? Quit drinking soda. If you’re in it for the caffeine, try green
tea and it’s many benefits or even coffee. If you prefer cold and refreshing,
have iced tea.
Changing
your habits takes motivation and dedication (follow-thru). This research
showing the aspartame-cancer link yet again should provide the motivation, but
it’s up to you to take steps towards reclaiming your health.
Additional
Sources:
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